Bassinet



July 12, 1949. J. w. BOREN 2,475,775

v BAssINET t Filed March 24, 1944 2 sheets-sheet 1 J. W. BOREN BASSINET 2 Sheeis-Sheet 2 Filed March 24, 1944 Patented July 12, 1949 UNITED STATES 4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in bassinets and it consists of the'matters hereinafter described and -more particularly pointed out in the appended claims. The bassinet with which the invention is more especially concerned is of the kind including top and bottom frames and upright side and end walls, made in sections, of transparent material. A plastic such as clear cellulose acetate serves admirably. It is preferable to ordinary vglass because it does not feel as cold as glass and it will 'not readily crack, shatter or break in the handling the bassinet receives While in use lfor its intended purpose. However, the plastic material above mentioned, as well as others, that may be used in lieu thereof, tend to shrink and expand with a resulting buckling or bulging under temperature changes. Also, age tends to modify dimensional characteristics. When the wall sections buckle or bulge, this not only detracts from the appearance of the bassinet, but makes it more -dilicult to wash clean and keep in a sanitary condition.

For a general statement of the purposes and uses of bassinets of the `kind under consideration, reference is made to my copending application filed November 12, 1940 and lbearing Serial No. 365,173, which matured linto Patent No. 2,401,605 on June 4, 1946.

' Because of the way in which such bassinets have been heretofore made, they had to be shipped from the factory in an assembled condition. Thus each bassinet required a relatively large and more expensive container that occupied considerable space vin shipment, and this added to the cost to theultimate user.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a bassinet which is so constructed :that the expansion and contraction movements of the upright wall sections, under temperature changes,

as well as dimensional changes due to age, are so accommodated that they will not buckle or bulge but will remain in a flat even condition.

Another object `of the invention is to provide a bassinet of vthis kind which may be shipped from thelfactory, knocked down, in a relatively small inexpensive container, to be readily assembled in a short period of time by a person of ordinary skill.

A further "objectof `the invention is to provide an improved post structure for holding the frames of the bassinet bodyin spaced relation and which posts are also made of :a transparent plastic material, the margins yof which are formed not only to `enhance their appearance but to `receive and conceal 'cer-tain margins of the wall sections in l2 a manner accommodating relative movement therebetween, `so that said wall lsections will not buckle or bulge but `will remain `flat and even when changes'due totemperature, age, etc. occur. f

The above mentionedobjects `or" the invention, aswell as others, `'together with the advantages thereof, will more uliy appear 'as the specication proceeds.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View oi the body of the bassinet embodying the preferred form lof 4thel invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale, througha-part 'of the bassinet body as taken on'the line 2-42 of Fig. 1 more particularly illustratingthe way in which the top and bottom frames of the'body are held in spaced relation by one of the improved post structures later described in detail.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary View in elevation of the parts appearing in Fig. A2, 'as viewed from the outside of the body. Y

Figs. 4 and 5 respectively are detail horizontal sectional views through parts shown in Fig. 3 on the lines 4 4 and .i---ii thereon respectively.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the transparent wall sections employed in thebassinet body when arranged in the-grouped relation they occupy said body.

Fig. 7 is a view in face elevation of one ofthe frame connecting posts employed in the improved bassinet body on -the `scale of Figs. 2, "3, 4 and 5 respectively, with'parts shown as broken away better to disclose the internal structure thereof.

Fig. 8 `is a side elevation of the post appearing in Fig. 7.

Fig. '9 is "a perspective Aview of a fragment o'f formedsheet metal from which the top and bottom frames of the bassinet body are made.

Fig. 10 is a viewvsimilar to the bottom part of Fig. 2 showing a modified construction.

The bassinet includes an open top, oblong shaped, round cornered basket-like body having a greater height at the h'ead end thanat the foot end. A better understanding of the preferred dimensional characteristics of the bassinet bodr appearing in the drawings will be had by stating that the body has an inside 'Width approximating 13%" and an inside'length of'a'pproximately 28". The head end, which is approximately 12% high has a length notlesslthan`18 and the foot end, which is :approximately 8%" high, has a length approximating "6, 4the v`transition between said ends occupying the remainder of the 128".

The body `of the ybassinet includes vertically spaced top and bottom rectangular frames I and I I respectively, having rounded corners. Each frame is preferably made from sheet metal about lg thick, formed to provide a rolled bead I2, one margin of which merges into a flange I3 tangential to the bead. The other margin of said bead is spaced from said flange to leave a relatively narrow slot I4 that opens into the interior of the bead as best appears in Fig. 9. In a nished bassinet body, the flanges I3-I3 are on the inside of the respective frames and face each other and the slots I4-I 4 are disposed on the outside of said frames as best appears in Fig. 2.

Associated with the bottom frame I I are spaced apart, interlaced longitudinally and transversely extending strips I5 and I6 respectively, preferably of metal (see Fig. 1) which provide an open work bottom for the bassinet body. Said strips are provided at each end with a downturned flange I1 (see Fig. 2) which fits against and is secured, as by welding, to the inside of the frame. It is to be noted that the bottom edge of the flanges of said strips stop short of the bottom of the frame so that the rounded bead of said frame provides a smooth bottom surface therefor. Thus, the frame will not scratch or mar any surface upon which the bassinet may be placed. The open work bottom, as provided by the strips I5 and I6 is adapted to support a cushion or pad (not shown) which may be from two to three inches thick.

The top frame I0 is dropped at the foot end of the bassinet to provide for the lower foot end of the body before mentioned.

The frames I D and II are held in spaced relation by means of pairs of upright posts I8 and I8a respectively, there being a post I8 and a post IBa at each side of the body and spaced from the rounded corners thereof as appears in Fig. 1. The posts I8-I8 are associated with the higher head end of the body and therefore are longer than the posts Isa-I 8a which are associated with the lower foot end of the body. Outside of length, said posts are structurally alike so that a description of one of them will suflice for all.

Preferably each post is made of a transparent plastic material of the same general character as that of which the body sheets are formed. Cellulose acetate well serves the purpose. In practice, a strip of this material 11/2" wide and 1/2" thick, and of the proper length, is provided centrally in each edge with a groove I9 that is 11g" wide and 1/2" deep. In the top and bottom ends of the post are transverse grooves and 2I respectively approximately lg" in width and having one of its surfaces flush with one of the surfaces of the groove I9. This provides at each end of the post, pairs of inner and outer flanges 22--23 and 24-25 at the top and bottom ends of the posts respectively. The words inner and outer are used herein with reference to the positions of said anges, when said posts are incorporated in the body of the bassinet. Both bottom flanges 24-25 have a height approximating that of the ange I 3 of the bottom frame. The front top flange 22 has a height approximating that of the flange I3 of the top frame while the rear to'p flange 23 has a height somewhat greater, as appears in Fig. 8. Holes 26--21 are formed centrally in said flanges and these openings register with holes 28 (see Fig. 2) in the flanges I3-I3 of both frames to receive attaching bolts, as will later appear.

The lateral margins of each post are bevelled 01T on their front and rear surfaces as indicated 4 at 29 and 30 respectively in Figs. 4 and 5. It is pointed out that the grooves I9-20 and 2| may be conveniently produced by a sawing operation and the margins 29 and 30 by machine operations. The surfaces produced by such operations are somewhat opaque and show up as substantially white or silvery areas in contrast to the clear transparent mid portion of the posts between them. This contrast enhances the appearance of the posts and provides an attractive decorative effect. In Figs. l, 3, '1 and 8 of the drawings, the surfaces for the margins 29 and 30 of said posts are indicated by stippling.

The bassinet body also includes an upright wall arranged between the two frames I0 and II and preferably this wall is made in sections and from a transparent material. A transparent plastic material about gig" thick, such as cellulose acetate, is preferred to ordinary glass because of the safety factor so far as breakage is concerned. Such a plastic material expands and contracts in response to temperature changes. Age also affects the dimensional characteristics of the material. All these factors must be taken into consideration to avoid the disadvantages which would result from buckling and bulging.

Preferably, therefore, the upright wall mentioned is made in four sections, namely a head end section 3|, two side sections 32-32 and a foot end section 33. Also by the use of sections, as mentioned, waste in cutting is eliminated as the same may be readily cut from sheets of such material available in the market. These sections are best shown as to their shape in Fig. 6 and wherein they are grouped in the relation they occupy in the finished bassinet body.

The side sections 32-32, which are shorter than the length of the bassinet body as a whole, approximate in length the distance between the posts I8 and I8a on the associated side of the body. Each (side section has a height for the greater part'of its length that approximates that of the head end section 3I and then is reduced in height toward one end to approximate the height of the foot end section 33. Lateral margins 3I-3Ia of the head end section and the like margins 33a-33a of the foot end section respectively, are curved to provide the rounded corners for the wall of the body and to register or align with the end margins of the side sections. In forming the head and foot end sections 3 I -33, a sheet of the plastic material is cut to dimensions and then placed and confined in a form and while so confined is heat treated so that the rounded corners and margins 3Ia and 33a take a substantially permanent set under normal conditions of use.

In assembling a bassinet body from the parts described, the body sections 3I-32 and 33 are applied to the bottom frame by inserting the bottom margins of said sections into the upwardly opening slot I4 which extends entirely about the bottom frame. The posts I8 and I8a are then positioned in place, with the grooves 2! straddling the flange I3 of said frame, after which the upright margins of the wall sections are brought to engage in the side grooves I9 of said posts. A bolt 34 is then inserted through the hole part 21 in the flange 25 of each post to pass through the associated hole 28 in the flange of the bottom frame and then through the hole part 21 in the flange part 24 of each post, after which a cap nut 35 is applied to the bolt end. It is pointed out at this time that that part of the hole 21 in the flange 25 is countersunk to receive a like amarre head on .the bolt as appears linfEigs. i2 and 4 :so that fsa-id head forms sno substantial projection.

Thereafter the top frame is :applied .so .that the upper margins `of the wall sections i3 I-.32 .and :33 pass through the slot ;I4 .in .said frame to enter the .interior of the lbeading 1.2 thereof. This lines up the 'holes 12-.8 in the 'flange f1.3 of .said frame with the :holes 2B inthe .flanges Y.22 and .23 .at #the top end lof the fposts. Then bolts 3.34 .and nuts 35 are appliedxto hold theparts in position, after which all nuts 35-are :tightened l.on their :respective bolts.

The engagement Lof 'the Aupright :margins of the wall sections 31h-.32 aand 33 .the grooves 1:9 of the .posts 1.8 and 18a. best appears in Eig. .5. From said vtlgnre it `is to be noted that vthe ledges of .said margins Ado not .engage the .bottoms lof thegrooves IB lbntare :slightly :spacedftherefrom tto allow :a telescopic or vrelativesliding movement mi said margins in .sa-id .grooves under vsuoli expansion and contraction, circumterentially .about :the body, 'vas-may occur under changes due to temperature or for other reasons. In this respect it is pointed out that none of the bolts 34 passes through any wall section yand therefore ethere are no holes or openings in said sections.

From Fig. 2 it will be noted that the top and bottom margins of `said body sections "3l- 32 and 33 have a substantially snug .iit in the grooves i4 ofthe .frames I0 and Il `and that they are in '.no manner attached in yplace by bolts or the like. Thus when the expansion and contraction of :the body sections occurs in a vertical direction, said margins ame free to move further into or .outfof the beads r|2101 said frames.

'Ifhus `while the margins of each wall .section are capablelof some relative vmovement with ,ilespect to theframes andi-posts, theyfare nevertheless securely held against displacement. Therefore said sections are free to creep under contraction and expansion and will not buckle or bulge or become otherwise distorted.

The entire bassinet body may 'be shipped .in a knocked down condition, .as a .compact package from its 'place .of .manufacture Aand may be readily set up or assembled by persons of ordinary skill. When set up and assembled, the bassinet has an attractive .and pleasing appearance which is enhanced by the white or silvery stripes .at the margins of the posts. Furthermore the clear space between the said margins of the posts increases the transparent area of the body as a whole.

In hospital use, the bassinets are frequently cleaned by immersing in a sterilizing bath water solution so that some of the bath solution enters the beading I2 of the upper and lower frames through the slots I4-I4 thereof. As the slot I4 of the upper frame faces substantially downwardly, the water in the bead of the upper frame drains out through the slot I4 thereof, after the bassinet has been removed from the bath water solution.

However, it is to be noted, from Fig. 2 that the slot I4 for bottom frame faces substantially upwardly. Therefore, in order that the bath water solution may drain therefrom, there is provided at suitable spaced points about the bottom part of the bead l2 of the bottom frame, drain openings I2a as best appears in Figs. 1, 2 and 10 respectively. Thus it is assured that after a cleaning, as above mentioned, water will not be retained in the bead of the bottom frame, to eventually creep up between the flange I3 of the frame and those marginal parts of the wall sections 3I-32 and 33 engaged therewith.

'llt "iszito be noted .alsopfrom Figithat the 'bead I2 tof y:both iframes 1iis disposed on :the outside .fof the -bassinet body. With this yarrangement the bead eI2 .of fthe top .frame .provides a good .ringer grip fin movingfthe :bassinet .from one place to another. However, .the arrangement of the b'ead |92 of the 'bottomrframe on the :outside llof the body `not :essential :as rmay, if desired, ibe disposed vupon I'the yinside of the body `as :appears in Fig. 10. "In sai`d`Fig. 10, like parts bear the :same numerals :as before. As show-n in said Eig. llO, theendofthe member i6 rests uponwand is fsecured to the top -of fthe bead I2 and the lFlange I3 -is then `Adisposediupon the-outersurface of the margins iof ithe waililusections 31-32 fand 33 =re speetively.

While in --4describing the invention I have referred "in detail to -ithe vform, yarrangemein,'ar'rlzl construction `of the parts employed, the vsame iis to :be considered 'only fin *the illustrative lsense :so

that I ido not 'wish to loe limited :thereto except as 'may "be :specifically pointed @out in the fappenfded claims.

I-claim as Amylinvention 1. vif-l bassinet :embodying therein top tanda-*bottom `Vframes, teach cross sect-ionally-fincludinga substantially tubular Aport-ion and a vflan-ge lead-- ing eff Vtrom one Iside *thereof and 'spaced from the 4other terminus oi the substantially y'tubular portion to form an entrance slot Sinto the J'substantially tubular lportion, Athe flanges of both framesl -iaci-ng each other, upright wall r1sections disposed between said frames and -rat their l'top and 'bottom margins extending through said Ientra-nce slots *into the tubular portions of 'lboth frames, tl'iere being -a "space between 4the adiacent vertical margins of 'said v`wall sections, upright members, one for-and wider than r`each space between said vadjacent margins of said `wall sec tions, each upright-member -having 'a groove in its lateral margins of a Awidth approximating the thickness of and ii-nto which Aexten-d Vsaid adjacen-t margins of Isaid-wall sec-tions, Aeach'upright member having a groove in leach -top and *bottom margin of a `width approximating the vcombined thickness offpartsof therwallsections and flanges of the fra-mes that are engaged jointly i-there'in, and Hmeans *passing vthrough top and bottom end parts of said upright members between the edges of the spaced margins of said wall sections in said top and bottom grooves of said upright end members and through parts of the flanges in said grooves to connect said frames, wall members and said upright members together in operative relation.

2. A bassinet embodying therein top and bottom frames, each cross sectionally including a substantially tubular portion and a flange leading off from one side thereof and spaced from the other terminus of the substantially tubular portion to form an entrance slot into the substantially tubular portion, the anges of both frames facing each other, upright Wall sections disposed between said frames and at their top and bottom margins extending through said entrance slots and into the substantially tubular portions of both frames, there being a space between the adjacent vertical margins of said wall sections, upright members, one for and wider than each space between the adjacent Vertical margins of said wall sections, each upright member having a groove in its lateral margins of a width approximating the thickness of andinto which extend said adjacent vertical margins of said wall sections, each upright member having a groove in each top and bottom margin of a Width approximating the combined thickness of parts of the wall sections and flanges of the frames that are engaged jointly therein, and with the edges of the anges engaged against the bottom of the associated top and bottom groove and with a top part of said upright member outwardly of said groove engaged atwise with the underside of the tubular portion of the frame and Whereby said upright members are prevented from rocking longitudinally of the frame members, and means securing said frames, Wall members and said upright members in operative relation.

3. A bassinet embodying therein top and bottom frames, each cross sectionally including a substantially tubular portion and an upright flange of a greater width than the diameter of the tubular portion and leading 01T from one side thereof and spaced from the other terminus thereof to form an entrance slot into the tubular portion, the flanges of both frames facing each other, upright wall sections disposed between said frames and at their top and bottom margins extending through said entrance slots and into the tubular portions of both frames, there being a space between the adjacent vertical margins of said wall sections, upright members, one for and Wider than each space between the adjacent lateral margins of said wall sections, each upright member having a groove in its lateral margins of a Width approximating the thickness of and into which extend said adjacent vertical margins of said wall sections, each upright member having a groove in each top and bottom margin of a width approximating the combined thickness of parts of the wall sections and flanges of the frames that are engaged jointly therein, and means securing said frames, wall members and said upright members together in operative relation, the flange of the top frame being disposed upon the inside thereof and the tubular portion of said top frame being disposed on the outside of the frame and forming a grippable hand hold, by which the bassinet may be carried about.

4. A bassinet embodying therein a bottom frame and a second frame spaced vertically thereabove, said frames being substantially rectangular in plan and each being formed with a substantially tubular portion and each having a slot therein, the slot in the lower frame opening upwardly and that in the upper frame opening downwardly, members spaced from the corners and extending between said frames and operatively connected at their ends to said upper and lower frames, side portions of said members having longitudinal grooves therein, and means providing an upright Wall between said frames, said wall comprising a plurality of sections including two end sections, said end sections being of substantially U shape in plan thereby providing a unitary wall for the entire end and also parts of the side wall, the vertical edge end portions of said side wall parts extending into said grooves in said side portions of the said members extending between the upper and lower frames, and the upper and lower edge portions of said U-shaped end wall sections projecting into the slots of said upper and lower frames.

JOHN WM. BOREN.

REFERENCES CITED The following referenlce-s are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 158,977 Post Jan. 19, 1875 443,322 Kinnear Dec. 23, 1890 588,647 Moorman Aug. 24, 1897 839,639 Pulfer Dec. 25, 1906 1,707,282 Schneider Apr. 2, 1929 1,734,651 Stickley Nov. 5, 1929 1,776,440 Knowles Sept. 23, 1930 2,002,380 Wernickl et al May 21, 1935 2,401,605 Boren June 4, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 11,321 Australia Jan. 16, 1929 491,599 Great Britain Sept. 6, 1938 767,123 France Apr. 23, 1934 782,578 France Mar. 18, 1935 OTHER REFERENCES Publication, Modern Plastics, Oct. 1943, pages 89-93 and 140. Copy in Div. 33. 

